The alarm bells ringing for Cardiff City, Swansea City, Leeds United and West Brom as Premier League consider new plan

Cardiff City and Swansea City were still very much in the play-off reckoning when the Championship season was halted

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The Premier League are close to agreeing a scenario which would see top-flight clubs playing out the rest of the season at neutral venues - but without the threat of relegation.

A report published by BBC Sport states that clubs are open to the idea which was discussed last week as part of the "Project Restart" proposals being considered.

Cardiff City and Swansea City have not played in almost two months, with their promotion hopes delicately poised when football was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bluebirds and Swans sit two and three points off the top six respectively, but if no teams were to be relegated from the top flight, alarm bells would be ringing for Championship promotion hopefuls, including runaway sides Leeds United and West Brom.

Details emerged this weekend of a proposal to play the remaining 92 Premier League fixtures at neutral grounds around the country.

It would also see relegation scrapped.

The report states: "Clubs near the bottom of the table feel it is unfair to play in such different conditions when at risk of relegation."

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Brighton chief executive Paul Barber voiced his opposition to neutral grounds being used over weekend, releasing a statement saying the plan would create "very obvious disadvantages" for the Seagulls.

Barber said: "At this critical point in the season, playing matches in neutral venues has, in our view, potential to have a material effect on the integrity of the competition."

Further discussions are expected to take place after the government reviews its lockdown measures on May 7.

There could still be promotion from the Championship, however, with the Guardian reporting on Friday that the EFL's contingency plan, should the season not be able to finish, would see Leeds and West Brom elevated to the top flight, with the current four teams in the play-off spots - Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston - fighting it out for the last place in an expanded Premier League next season.

That scenario would put an end to both Cardiff and Swansea's hopes of promotion this season.